UN:Me: An Cerebral Horror That Blends Silent Hill and Among Us Mechanics
The recent Day of the Devs online presentation revealed a number of intriguing future games, but one in particular has captured the imagination: UN:Me. Created by Historia and Shueisha Games, this solo adventure seems to blend the oppressive atmosphere of a Silent Hill title with the paranoid deduction heart of Among Us.
"This is a distinctive experience where a young woman harboring several personalities within her needs to flee from a labyrinth of the mind," states developer Yasukazu Kawai.
Entering a Fractured Mind
In UN:Me, players assume the role of an unnamed female protagonist who appears to be of teenage years. Inside her exist four distinct personas, all possessing unique fears and motivations. These souls can take over at will, releasing their innermost terrors upon her suddenly.
Judging by showcased footage, much of the action takes place within a eerie hospital, though other scenes show the protagonist exploring a abandoned chapel.
A World of Individual Horror
"What are you fearful of? What makes you uncomfortable?" poses game director Shun Sasaki. "High places. Confined spaces. Authority figures. Elements that seem trivial to others can trigger a deep instinct within us. This game delves into that concept — anxieties that are specific to each person."
The central gameplay loop revolves around controlling whichever soul surfaces at a particular time. However, these souls will change involuntarily as you play. While exploring, each soul's fears become exaggerated and assault the girl in succession. As the persona shifts, so does the specific fear the player encounters.
Eerie Visuals and a Fatal Choice
At first glance, UN:Me displays noticeable aesthetic parallels with the Silent Hill franchise. The setting is populated by nurses all sporting the identical visage, with unnervingly wide smiles. Patients in the waiting room have large flowers growing from their necks should be. Floral motifs are a recurring theme, juxtaposing natural beauty with supernatural dread.
Yet, UN:Me introduces a singular twist. Players are tasked with deducing which of the four entities inhabiting the heroine is the "real" one. "All four personas claims that the body is rightfully them," explains a developer. "Throughout the game, you need to figure out who is authentic."
After a player have deduced a persona is an impostor, they must eliminate it. However, because every entity can lie or obfuscate the reality, it is very easy to make a mistake.
"Maybe you've already destroyed the real [soul] with your own hands," the narration states. "The last one standing could be a fake. In any case, your choices are final."
UN:Me currently lacks a publicly announced release date, but it is can be wishlist on platforms.
